In 2015, Tetbury Lions Club was very proud to be awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS), an award created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and described by the Cabinet Office as “the MBE for volunteer groups”.As things stand we believe we are only the second Lions club in the whole of England to achieve this recognition.This prestigious award specifically recognises the impact the Tetbury Advertiser has, and continues to have, on the community - as this monthly publication gives a voice to all groups, encourages local business to remain viable and helps improve local facilities and services.The Tetbury Advertiser is both a product and a service that is unique among Lions clubs; its value to the community is much envied by other clubs but has never been successfully emulated.

The QAVS process started back in September 2014 when Councillor Stephen Hirst nominated the Club.With letters of support from the Feoffees and a local author who had long appreciated the significance of the Tetbury Advertiser, the application underwent rigorous scrutiny at various levels.Two of Gloucestershire’s Deputy Lord-Lieutenants examined evidence offered by the Club and interviewed Lion President Keith Leaver and several others.Following this first review, a specialist assessment panel of independent volunteering experts from across the UK judged all the nominated groups against the award criteria.

The Club was then advised the award had been granted and a scroll signed by the Queen was presented to us by the Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire.The Club also received an engraved commemorative crystal.

Tetbury Lions is one of 187 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award in 2016. The number of awards handed out to groups has increased by over 60% from 2014, due to an increase in high quality applications, showing that the voluntary sector is thriving and full of innovative ideas to tackle community challenges.

Tetbury Lions would like to thank everyone in the town and its surrounding parishes who hold the Tetbury Advertiser in such high esteem - and for their continuing support for our various projects.Without support, this award would not have been attained.